Living with Ourselves

Hi @Appleblossom, I'm sorry to hear some discussions have caused you difficulty or distress. It sounds like you've found a great way of coping with this that works for you, however, I did want to encourage you and anyone else with similar experiences to reach out to us for assistance if you are struggling with something on the Forums. It's really important that everyone here feels safe and supported.

Take care 🌻

Hello @HenryX

I read your post again to refresh my mind about your wanting to help the forums be a more user friendly place.

This is in simple terms; trust me far easier to read than my usual contributions.

I do not think that you have verbalised anything that would be seen as criticising or out of place.

You also thought about the feelings of staff and members; reassuring them that your words were in no way as a result of their inabilities.

Systems!

Hmm always seem to have to be updated.

We are part of an evergrowing, expanding, outreaching website that covers so much within the messy world of unwell minds, homelessness, stigmatism, bullying and harassment.

What is the answer? When it comes to systems I am the last person to seek help from.

I know that in the past there have been threads asking members what they would like to see as far as change. Some subjects have brought about incredible responses. A strong unity rising up from the quiet.

They listened as well.

I do feel frustrated, disappointed, unheard and alone at times when I cannot access something that I can clearly see is so simple for others.

I believe @HenryX that you might be a great leader. A gatherer in olden times. You can draw the weary folk around you, as we toss about ideas in our own languages, sitting around a virtual campfire.

Are you able to dotpoint ideas in condensed form. As I think that many people are like myself, struggle with our sometimes foggy brains which leads us to feel anxious and unable to contribute.

This is hilarious coming from someone who replies with essays I can hear you thinking.

I just believe that you have raised some valid points and can find a way to hear some insights from others.

Thank you so much for caring about all of us who miss out.

Lovely to have someone like you around Henry X

Sophia 💛

Hello @Sophia1

Thank you so very much for your considered response and such very positive comments with regard to my forum activities. I am not always so certain about other people's responses to my observations. However you are among the people who have often given me positive affirmation when I may sometimes have doubted whether my contributions would be favourably received.

“

I enjoy the interaction that you and I have and I appreciate your observations to me and others as well.

“

I have depersonalised the messages that I have asked you to comment on, by removing any specific references to anyone, and written it as an open letter to Community Guides and above.

{I don't like using the “above” term, but it seems the only way to identify a group sometimes in a structural hierarchy.}

“

As I said in that open letter, I hope that people will consider my observations in the way that I intended, as constructive observations. I also hope that it will open the way for all members to have input on possibilities.

“

I understand what you are saying about the range of people with wide ranging MH issues, who use, or may like to use the forum resources. It is with those people in mind that my observations have been made. I really do believe, that to allow the greatest access to resources, the site has to be user friendly.

“

Those words,

“feel frustrated, disappointed, unheard and alone at times when I cannot access something that I can clearly see is so simple for others.”

are indeed the main reason for my observations. You are certainly not the only person to have those feelings. I feel the same way when access is blocked by an “email and password login portal” that I cannot get through, despite the fact that I am offering information that I think is correct. And you and I are not the only ones who have experienced those problems. I guess I am saying that it is not always “so simple for others.” either. You are definitely not on your own. Indeed, this is the whole point of this exercise, to have people feel welcome by making access more straight forward for all who wish to use the forum and its functions.

“

I understand your suggestion about dot-pointing of ideas. What I had written was more a general idea about causes and effects. If people would like me to make specific suggestions regarding structure, I will certainly be taking your observation on board. I am really hoping that people will feel more confident to air their concerns if they realise that “it is not just them.” Other people, even established members, also have the same difficulties.

“

One of the things that I am conscious of, is the length of my responses. I laugh at myself when I think of people saying:

“Oh no!!! Not another one of Henry's books.”

“

Thank you again Sophia

for taking the time to read and comment on the observations that I have offered, and for your very affirming comments.

With My Very Best Wishes

HenryX

You are more than welcome @HenryX

I did read between the lines and felt that you were reaching out to help others like you and I, who find themselves in situations where they cannot reply; possibly feeling unheard, unworthy and or, a whole array of discomfort.

I loved the comment about Henry's book. Made me smile.

I have been known over my time on the forums to write great epic replies.

I usually refer to them as essays.

Some members are unable to read lengthy responses and I feel for them at the same time not liking the idea that I myself am excluding others.

I remind myself that we must all accept each other's style without judgement.

If we all write as ourselves, we are acknowledging ourselves, releasing pent up emotions at the same time helping some now as well as those who pass by in the future.

Do not question your writing that you take time to think about. You are contributing using your language which is the best that you can do for yourself and others.

You have a genuine, sincere style of writing.

Please keep on contributing.

ps I received another authentication ticket...failure when trying to support a post from another.

The system clearly does not like me laugh..

Take care and keep on being you.

Sophia

Hello

@TAB

Wanting to check in on you.

In amongst all of the humour at the feast, I tried to read between the lines.

I am sorry for pushing you the other day when you were busy, having tests or getting results.

Are you okay?

I brought the conversation over here.

I want to respect your privacy and feelings.

Talk to me if you want.

At the same time I will keep in touch, to let you know that I care, even if you do not want to talk which is a natural response.

Sophia 💜

Thanks @Sophia1 guess have had a bit on my plate lately and things get to me in the end

Thanks, will be okay, its a process seems, I dont have quick fixes anymore guess

Just health issues all inter related, plus age etc plus been sitting on lounge for too long, as in not working, well am studying, but havent touched it in nearly 2 weeks now. it adds up.

Thanks for listening and nice to see you on here so much lately

Hello @TAB

Thank you for getting back to me. I know that you do not wonder too far on the forums.

A bit like myself these days.

I get lost when I do.

No sense of direction.

Remember that one?

Can't remember which thread it was though laugh.

Having health issues, tests, appointments, waiting for results, worrying about work and studying now as well.

That is a lot to deal with for anyone, you are human remember.

Hardest part of being there for others and caring is that we do not do the same for ourselves.

Work needs to wait until your health improves.

Studying wonderful news. What are you studying? Or would you prefer not to say?

Time out from study; everyone does whether unwell or not.

Part and parcel of studying.

In fact taking a break actually refreshes your mind and wakes up your learning techniques, memory.

Anytime am here for you @TAB

Great having fun on the forums.

Sometimes we just need to talk about our real world in a safe environment too.

💜💜Lovely to see our sweet greenpea back .

Sophia

Hello sweet @Bunniekins

I too had noted your absence and missed you.

Great that @TAB asked about you and you were able to land at @Shaz51 birthday party.

Good idea having medication change in hospital.

Under observation for symptom changes.

Safest way if can do it and your doctor sounds as though they are on top of it and looking after you well.

Pleased to hear.

Will keep an eye out for you when I am on-line. A little more of late. Cannot keep up all of the time though.

love sophia 💜

Thanks @Sophia1 well said. I am just off to Dr's (sick of going there lol) prob get results for a couple of things, is Tabs paw broken and does he have lupus clotting factor and have to stay on blood thinners forever lol stay tuned. Updates in Tabalugas lol

glad you are enjoying forums

yes I treat myself badly

oh, study is Cert IV TAE, finished one unit before stopped a couple weeks back

It might come to something., or just make me think what it is that I really want to do

yes good @Bunniekins is back will be back in an hour or so, leaving soon

Will be good when you get answers re health @TAB

We do not really want to know most of the time, then there is no point in going to medical world is there.

Learning to work around whatever is around the corner seems to be life and how we adapt is most important.

Forums along with certain members with whom you relate can certainly help through that change.

Study is opening the mind.

No matter what the subject if you gain something from it that is the best result.

I love learning. Always have.

Have always been a questioner, the majoriity of humans not liking this.

This is how I learn. This is me.

tag me if I forget about tabalugas which is quite on the cards as I only remember threads when tagged these days.

Sophia 😺